We're still a few weeks away from 'Arrow' season 2 premiere "City of Heroes," kicking off an all-new year in Starling City that will introduce the likes of The Flash and Black Canary, but why wait for an early sneak peek? 'Arrow' season 2's first official October 9 premiere photo has arrived, featuring Summer Glau as Isabel Rochev, while a new "City of Heroes" synopsis takes us all around the globe.

For one, it seems as if the Undertaking event of season 1 finale "Sacrifice" left Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) in worse shape than we thought, as Felicity and Diggle must travel halfway around the world to retrieve him from self-imposed exile. Oliver's absence complicates a number of matters, as Isabel Rochev (Glau) looks to take over Queen Consolidated, while Roy Harper steps up in the vigilante's wake.

From The CW's official synopsis of 'Arrow' season 2 premiere "City of Heroes":

FROM VIGILANTE TO HERO — Diggle (David Ramsey) and Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) travel to Lian Yu in search of Oliver (Stephen Amell) who left Starling City after The Undertaking. Convinced to return home, Oliver finds that things are in worse shape than he thought – Isabel Rochev (guest star Summer Glau) is preparing a hostile takeover of Queen Consolidated, Thea (Willa Holland) refuses to visit Moira (Susanna Thompson) in jail, Roy (Colton Haynes) is trying to fill the void left by the Arrow’s absence, and Laurel (Katie Cassidy) is working with the District Attorney’s office to take down the vigilante. Meanwhile, flashbacks to the island show Slade (Manu Bennett), Shado (guest star Celina Jade) and Oliver in a desperate situation.